Name: Creamy Elote-Inspired Chicken Salad Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt; 3 tablespoons mayonnaise or additional yogurt; 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice; 1 teaspoon lime zest (about 1 small lime); 1 tablespoon olive oil; 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt; 3/4 teaspoon chili powder; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin; 3 cups cooked and diced chicken breast (about 3/4 pound after cooking or 3 small chicken breasts); 2 1/2 cups fire-roasted corn kernels; 1 medium red bell pepper, diced small; 1/2 medium red onion, diced small; 1 small jalapeno pepper, ribs and seeds removed, finely diced; 1/2 cup roughly chopped cilantro; 1/2 cup crumbled cotija cheese (can sub feta)

Jump to Recipe·5.2 from 21 reviews

The Creamy Elote-Inspired Chicken Salad is what happens when everyone’s favorite street corn meets juicy chicken, fresh veggies, and a zesty lime dressing—all tossed together for the ultimate flavor-packed meal. It’s salad, yes, but it’s got that irresistible smoky, sweet, and tangy kick with creamy cheese, a little crunch, a little spice, and lots of color. You’re going to want this for lunch, dinner, or scooped with chips at your next party, trust me!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Creamy Elote-Inspired Chicken Salad Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient in this Creamy Elote-Inspired Chicken Salad works together to bring the magic: smoky corn, juicy chicken, bright veggies, and that tangy creamy dressing. It’s all about the little details—don’t skip anything!

Cooked chicken breast: Use chopped or shredded chicken; this is the hearty base that soaks up all the dressing flavors.
Fire roasted corn kernels: Go for canned or frozen fire-roasted corn for a boost of smokiness, or grill your own fresh corn for the best flavor.
Red bell pepper: Dice it small for a burst of sweetness and crisp color.
Red onion: Adds sharpness and a crunchy bite—diced small so it blends in perfectly.
Jalapeño pepper: Finely diced for a little heat; remove seeds and ribs to keep it mild.
Cilantro: Roughly chopped for vibrant freshness and that classic elote twist.
Cojita cheese: Crumbled for salty, creamy richness; feta works in a pinch!
Plain Greek yogurt: The base of your dressing—super creamy with a slight tang.
Mayonnaise: Binds your dressing together, making everything luscious.
Fresh lime juice: Brightens the whole salad and makes the flavors pop.
Lime zest: Don’t skip this—it amps up the citrus aroma and adds zing.
Olive oil: Adds a nice silky texture to the dressing.
Kosher salt: Essential for seasoning every bite.
Chili powder: Brings warmth and depth, just like real elote.
Garlic powder: Boosts savory notes without any raw bite.
Ground cumin: A pinch elevates the salad with an earthy hint that feels authentic.

How to Make Creamy Elote-Inspired Chicken Salad

Step 1: Whisk Up the Creamy Lime Dressing

Start by grabbing a large mixing bowl (fewer dishes, hooray!) and whisk together the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, fresh lime juice, lime zest, olive oil, kosher salt, chili powder, garlic powder, and ground cumin. This dreamy dressing sets the scene with a tangy, creamy, spiced flavor that is the absolute backbone of your Creamy Elote-Inspired Chicken Salad.

Step 2: Prep Your Salad Ingredients

While you’re whisking, chop your cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces, dice your bell pepper and red onion, finely chop that jalapeño (remember: gloves save the day if you’re a chili rookie!), and get your cilantro and cojita cheese ready to sprinkle in. If your corn is frozen or canned, make sure it’s drained and patted dry—no soggy salads here.

Step 3: Toss Everything Together

Pile the chicken, fire roasted corn, bell pepper, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, and cheese right into the bowl with your creamy lime dressing. Use a big spoon and gently toss until all the pieces are coated and the Creamy Elote-Inspired Chicken Salad looks glossy and vibrant. Take a second to admire those colors—it’s seriously beautiful!

Step 4: Taste and Adjust

Once everything’s mixed, give it a little taste. Need more salt? Maybe a touch of black pepper? Lime juice for more zip? Go ahead—this is the moment to tailor the salad just for you. Once you’re happy, you’re done!

Step 5: Chill or Serve

You can serve Creamy Elote-Inspired Chicken Salad immediately, or cover and pop it in the fridge for a couple of hours so the flavors marry. It keeps wonderfully and actually gets better as it sits—a host or lunch-prepper’s dream!

How to Serve Creamy Elote-Inspired Chicken Salad

Garnishes

Finish your Creamy Elote-Inspired Chicken Salad with extra crumbled cojita (or feta), a sprinkle of chili powder, a flourish of fresh cilantro, and a final squeeze of lime. These little touches make your salad as pretty as it is tasty.

Side Dishes

Serve this vibrant salad alongside tortilla chips for the ultimate crunchy scoop, warm tortillas, or a crisp lettuce cup for a lighter bite. It pairs beautifully with grilled vegetables, rice, or even a chilled watermelon salad for something sweet.

Creative Ways to Present

Try stuffing Creamy Elote-Inspired Chicken Salad in warm pita pockets, rolling it up in a burrito-style wrap, or piling it high on tostadas. Or keep it simple and just serve it family-style for everyone to dig in—no matter how you present it, it’s bound to steal the spotlight.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Your Creamy Elote-Inspired Chicken Salad will keep covered in the fridge for up to 4 days. Store it in an airtight container to maintain that fresh, vibrant crunch—perfect for make-ahead lunches or quick dinners.

Freezing

While you technically can freeze this salad, the creamy dressing might separate and the veggies can lose their crunch once thawed. For the best results, enjoy it fresh or within a few days from the refrigerator.

Reheating

This salad is best enjoyed cold or at room temperature. If you want to take the chill off, let it sit out for 10–15 minutes before serving. Avoid microwaving, as heat can make the dressing separate and the cheese go rubbery.

FAQs

Can I make Creamy Elote-Inspired Chicken Salad dairy free?

Absolutely! Just skip the cojita cheese and swap the Greek yogurt for a dairy-free version or use extra mayo. The salad will still be super creamy and packed with flavor.

What’s the easiest way to cook chicken for this salad?

You can poach, grill, bake, or even shred a rotisserie chicken for super convenience—any cooked chicken breast will work. Just be sure to cool it before dicing so the dressing doesn’t get runny.

Can I use fresh corn instead of canned or frozen?

Yes! Grill or steam about four ears of fresh corn, then cut the kernels off the cob. If you can roast them over an open flame, even better for that gorgeous smoky note.

How spicy is this salad?

With the jalapeño de-seeded, it has just a mild warming kick—totally appropriate for most people. Like heat? Leave in some seeds or add a dash of cayenne!

Can I make Creamy Elote-Inspired Chicken Salad ahead?

Definitely. In fact, letting it chill for a few hours makes the flavors pop even more, making it an ideal make-ahead dish for meal prep or parties.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been looking for something bold, fresh, and irresistibly delicious, Creamy Elote-Inspired Chicken Salad is your answer. Try it once and you’ll want to keep it on repeat—you’ll love every bite!